UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

F M S

O Foreign Military Studies Office 731 McClellan Ave Fort Leavenworth, KS Latin America Military and 66027 Security Watch fmso- [email protected] Table of Contents Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement. Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original MICHOACAN Series of Narco Blockades Implemented in Michoacan – 29 August copyright restrictions. 2011

Two Bodies with Narco Messages Recovered in Uruapan, Michoacan – This report is a compilation of 28 August 2011 extract translations of Spanish Narco Message and Bodies of Four Taxi Drivers Recovered in language open source Michoacan – 29 August 2011 information and not evaluated CHIHUAHUA intelligence. Multiple Narco Banners Directed to President Calderon Posted in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 29 August 2011 The complete articles in Soldiers Seize $(USD) 264,350 from Vehicle with U.S. Plates in Ciudad Spanish are available from Juarez, Chihuahua – 28 August 2011 FMSO. Soldiers Seize 792 Kilograms of Clorazepate Monopotassium Destined for the U.S. in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 28 August 2011 This briefing is FOUO and FEDERAL DISTRICT must be protected and Decapitated Body with Message Signed by La Mano con Ojos controlled in accordance with Recovered in the Federal District – 26 August 2011 U.S. standards. MEXICO STATE

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

Authorities Receive Unconfirmed Report of Clandestine Grave Containing the Bodies of 23 Police Officers in Zinacantepec, Mexico

State – 27 August 2011 QUERETARO Authorities Seize Dozens of 200 Liter Barrels with Chemical Precursors in Palmillas, Queretaro – 26 August 2011 SINALOA Soldiers Dismantle Drug Warehouse in Cosala, Sinaloa – 28 August 2011 Five Transit Police Arrested for Supporting Organized Crime Groups in Veracruz – 28 August 2011 Marines Arrest Three Individuals and Seize Weapons, Ammunition, and Vehicles in Tampico Alto, Veracruz – 28 August 2011 Soldiers Arrest Five Gunmen in Veracruz City, Veracruz – 21 August 2011 GUERRERO The Devil’s Command Responds to Message Sent by the Attorney General of Guerrero – 24 August 2011 Police Officer Hung from Pedestrian Bridge in Acapulco, Guerrero – 29 August 2011 Two Bodies Recovered from Clandestine Graves in Acapulco, Guerrero – 30 August 2011

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

MEXICO MICHOACAN Series of Narco Blockades Implemented in Michoacan – 29 August 2011

Between 27 and 30 August 2011, criminals implemented a series of narco blockades and set multiple vehicles on fire throughout Michoacan. Locations in which vehicles were set on fire were reported as follows:  27 August 2011: at least two tractor-trailers were set on fire at the Charo [16.881432,-99.882545] exit in Morelia  28 August 2011: at least two vehicles were set on fire at the entrance to Zitacuaro [19.448464,- 100.174713], in front of the Tecnologico Institute, along the XXI highway.  29 August 2011: two confrontations between federal police officers and groups of gunmen were reported in a neighborhood located near the Huetamo exit [18.635835,-100.901184], and at the federal police base near the Fierro Bridge in Zitacuaro. No casualties were reported in conjunction with these confrontations. Following these altercations, gunmen set two tractor- trailers on fire at the Zitacuaro/Toluca exit and two more west exit of Huetamo.

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/mas-narcobloqueos-en-michoacan.html, http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/otra-dia-de-narcobloqueos-en-michoacan.html

Top of the Document

Two Bodies with Narco Messages Recovered in Uruapan, Michoacan – 28 August 2011 On 25 August 2011 at approximately 0130 hours, the bodies of two male murder victims were recovered from the entrance of the Pomocuran firing range located along the Uruapan-Pracho highway in Uruapan [19.625126,-102.102814], Michoacan. One of the victims was identified as Mario Antonio Villagomez Ibarra, 32. He was

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

originally kidnapped on 29 July. At this point, the second victim has not yet been identified. A message left with the bodies read as follows: “Warning: this will happen to all the traitors that help people working for Chuy Mendez, Martin Rosales, Magana, aka El Terry or La Borre, Jose Maria Chavez, aka EL Pony, El Torito, and EL Bofo”.

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/narcomensajes-de-los-ejecutados-ayer-en.html

Top of the Document

Narco Message and Bodies of Four Taxi Drivers Recovered in Michoacan – 29 August 2011 On 28 August 2011, authorities recovered the bodies of four male taxi drivers from the interior of a taxi that was abandoned along the Brisenas-Zamora highway in the Ixtlan de los Hervores village [20.174567,-102.391205] of Michoacan. A message left with the bodies read as follows: “This will happen to all the taxi drivers that support kidnappers and robbers from Zamora”. The now deceased individuals were identified as:  Francisco Menchaca Reteguin, 30  Jesus Menchaca Reteguin, 20  Daniel Torres Montes, 17  Jose de Jesus Jauregui Gonzalez, 25 Recovered from the area were at least 60 shell casings.

Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/ejecutan-cuatro-hombres-en- michoacan.html#more

CHIHUAHUA Multiple Narco Banners Directed to President Calderon Posted in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 29 August 2011 On 29 August 2011, at least five banners with a message directed to President Felipe Calderon were posted in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Some of the areas where the banners were posted were reported as follows:  In the Constitucion neighborhood [31.741015,-106.476746]

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

 Next to a fire station located on Jose Mendez and Pascual Orozco Streets in the Corregidora neighborhood [31.722619,-106.485157]  On a wall of the Francisco Villa School in the Division del Norte neighborhood [31.704511,- 106.446705]  At the intersection of Chihuahua and Francisco I. Madero Streets [31.738825,-106.506615]  In the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood [31.725101,-106.503696] Based on the picture above, the narco message read as follows: “Mr. President Calderon, stop supporting your buddy El Chapo Guzman. You very well know that he is responsible for the attack at the Corona Stadium in Torreon and for the massacre at the casino in Monterrey. They (The Sinaloa Cartel) want to do the same thing in Ciudad Juarez. They do that (the attacks) to heat up the plazas, and also, with your help, to gain control of them”.

Comment: The banners in question were not signed by any particular criminal group; however, similar banners posted on 25 August 2011 in Ciudad Juarez were signed by La Linea.

Spanish Sources: http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=279896, http://www.lapolaka.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=11834:mantomania- narcoterrorista

Top of the Document

Soldiers Seize $(USD) 264,350 from Vehicle with U.S. Plates in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 28 August 2011 On 27 August 2011, 5th Military Zone soldiers seized $(USD) 264,350 from the trunk of a taxi that was stopped at a checkpoint on the Cordova International Bridge (also known as Puente Libre) [31.764662,- 106.451511] in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. The taxi from which the money was seized was reported as having US plates, and allegedly departed from El Paso, TX and was traveling to Ciudad Juarez. The driver of this vehicle was arrested; however, his name was not reported.

Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa/7288-a-28- de-agosto-de-2011-lomas-de-sotelo-df

Top of the Document

Soldiers Seize 792 Kilograms of Clorazepate Monopotassium Destined for the U.S. in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 28 August 2011 On 26 August 2011, 5th Military Zone soldiers conducting train inspections seized 792 kilograms of clorazepate monopotassium at the Ferroviaria Train Station in Ciudad Juarez [31.737511,-106.461639],

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 5

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

Chihuahua. The psychotropic substance had been hidden within a compartment underneath a train car. This shipment originated in Casa Colorada, Chihuahua, and was destined for the U.S.

Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-los- mandos-territoriales/7286-28-de-agosto-de-2011-ciudad-juarez-chih

Top of the Document

FEDERAL DISTRICT Decapitated Body with Message Signed by La Mano con Ojos Recovered in the Federal District – 26 August 2011 On 26 August 2011 at approximately 0700 hours, SSP officers recovered the body of a male decapitation victim on Vasco de Quiroga Street [19.495217,- 99.09344], near La Loma traffic circle, in the Santa Fe area of the Federal District. The victim was identified as Israel Medina Ruiz, 30. He was left half naked and with a message signed by La Mano con Ojos. The content of the message was not reported.

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/dejan-la-mano-con-ojos-decapitado-cerca.html

Top of the Document

MEXICO STATE Authorities Receive Unconfirmed Report of Clandestine Grave Containing the Bodies of 23 Police Officers in Zinacantepec, Mexico State – 27 August 2011 On 27 August 2011, authorities received a report regarding a clandestine grave near the Colegio Mexiquense (a college) [19.282831,- 99.763477] in Zinacantepec, Mexico State. It is estimated that the bodies of at least 23 federal and municipal police officers are contained within

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 6

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

these graves, but at the moment, only three bodies have been excavated.

Comment: The last incident in which bodies were recovered from clandestine graves in Mexico State occurred in September 2008 when authorities excavated the bodies of 24 decapitation victims in La Marquesa. These same individuals are said to have been involved with the construction of a narco tunnel in the northern sector of the country.

Spanish Source: http://monterrey.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/b14a8f25b635704fed6ebbd1e537bf29

QUERETARO Authorities Seize Dozens of 200 Liter Barrels with Chemical Precursors in Palmillas, Queretaro – 26 August 2011 An anonymous citizens tip regarding a warehouse utilized to store synthetic drug precursors led soldiers assigned to the 7th Mechanized Regiment to La Llave Ranch which is located on Nacional Street, several meters from the Mexico-Queretaro Highway, in Palmillas [20.340523,-99.943621], Queretaro. Those items seized from this location were reported as follows:  Dozens of 200 liter drums that contained substances utilized to process synthetic drugs  1 Chevrolet cargo van with Mexico State plates KY-59970  1 white Ford 350 with Mexico State plates KY-19359  1 Chevrolet van with Mexico State plate KY-05618

Arrested in conjunction with this operation were five individuals, two of which were identified as being minors.

Spanish Source: http://www.oem.com.mx/diariodequeretaro/notas/n2201880.htm

SINALOA Soldiers Dismantle Drug Warehouse in Cosala, Sinaloa – 28 August 2011 III Military Region and 9th Military Zone soldiers conducting land reconnaissance discovered a drug warehouse near the Ipucha village of Cosala [24.412843,-106.690722], Sinaloa. Those items seized from this location were reported as follows:  7,956 liters of toluene  2,480 liters of hydrochloric acid  720 liters of alcohol

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 7

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

 540 liters of acetone  25 liters of caustic soda  268 liters of an unknown substance  1,100 kilograms of tartaric acid  450 kilograms of caustic soda  25 kilograms of sodium chloride  10 kilograms of mercury chloride No arrests were reported in conjunction with this seizure.

Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-los- mandos-territoriales/7287-28-de-agosto-de-2011-culiacan-sin

Top of the Document

VERACRUZ Five Transit Police Arrested for Supporting Organized Crime Groups in Veracruz – 28 August 2011 On 28 August 2011, soldiers and federal police carried out an operation that led to the arrests of five transit officers that serve stations in Veracruz and Boca del Rio. All of these officers are accused of supporting organized crime groups operating in the area. At this point, the names of those individuals now police custody have not been released, but it was reported that a Night Watch Commander was taken into custody.

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/detienen-cinco-policias-de-transito-en.html

Marines Arrest Three Individuals and Seize Weapons, Ammunition, and Vehicles in Tampico Alto, Veracruz – 28 August 2011 On 21 August 2011, Marines noted a group of armed men off a dirt road located at the 82 kilometer mark along the Tampico- Highway [22.014361,-97.771797] in Tampico Alto, Veracruz. After searching gunmen, they were arrested and identified as:  Nohemí MORALES Hernández, 23  Alfredo MAR Aguilera, 21  Henry RUIZ Garrido, 36 Those items seized from the men mentioned above included:  3 vehicles

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 8

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

 24 magazines  685 rounds of ammunition  An undisclosed amount of marijuana

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/capturan-sicarios-armados-en-tampico.html

Top of the Document

Soldiers Arrest Five Gunmen in Veracruz City, Veracruz – 21 August 2011 An anonymous tip regarding armed men led soldiers assigned to the 26th Military Zone to the Los Sauces housing complex [19.166966,-96.167115] in Veracruz City. Those items seized from the gunmen were reported as follows:  4 assault rifles  1 grenade  An unspecified quantity of various caliber ammunition  An unspecified quantity of magazines  1 vehicle Five gunmen were arrested in conjunction with this operation; however, their names were not reported.

Spanish Source: http://www.oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/notas/n2204448.htm

Top of the Document

GUERRERO The Devil’s Command Responds to Message Sent by the Attorney General of Guerrero – 24 August 2011 On or about 22 August 2011, Alberto Lopez Rosas, the Attorney General of Guerrero, sent a message to organized crime groups operating in the State. Within this message, he stated that he wanted to come to an agreement with those groups that have managed to disrupt tranquility in many cities and municipalities, and he asked them to respect society and to stop doing things that negatively affect the productivity of the entire community.

In response to this, the Devil’s Command sent an email directed to Lopez to multiple media sources. The content of this message was printed on the blogdelnarco website and read as follows: “We received the message sent by the Attorney General of Guerrero, Alberto Lopez Rosas, in which he requests a truce. This is our response to that request: We accept a truce for three months and promise the people of Acapulco to keep our promise under one condition. That condition is that Governor Angel Aguirre

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 9

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

Rivero holds a press conference to discuss whether or not he has a relationship to the kidnapper, extortionist, and drug trafficker known as Victor Aguirre Garzon. In the case that he is related to Victor Aguirre Garzon, he must admit to it. Victor Aguirre Garzon was incarcerated for 17 years, and he has received unconditional support from Anguel Aguirre Rivero since he took office.

He has also supported Benito and Rosario Aguirre Garzon, individuals who assured us that they are second cousins of Governor Aguirre Rivero. Rosario Aguirre Garzon is a gynecologist and she receives favors from her cousin. We want to remind the Governor that the father of Victor Aguirre Garzon is Mr. Artemio Aguirre. A house that you had on Suiza Street, which you said you sold to Mrs. Rosario Aguirre Garzon, also belonged to your cousin who is currently the Mayor of Acapulco, Manuel Anorve Banos. Do not lie”.

Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/el-comando-del-diablo-emite.html#more

Top of the Document

Police Officer Hung from Pedestrian Bridge in Acapulco, Guerrero – 29 August 2011 On 26 August 2011, police officer Gildardo Alejandrino Camacho Fuentes, 34, was hung from La Cima pedestrian bridge [16.821302,-99.849586] in Acapulco, Guerrero. His sister, Amelia Elvira Camacho Fuentes, identified his body, and told police that she had no idea why someone would want to kill her brother.

Spanish Sources: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/encadenan-y-cuelgan-hombre-en- acapulco.html#more, http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/hombre-encadenado-en-la-cima-era.html

Top of the Document

Two Bodies Recovered from Clandestine Graves in Acapulco, Guerrero – 30 August 2011 Anthropologists from Chilpancingo, at the request of authorities, recovered the bodies of two murder victims from two clandestine graves that were located approximately 500 meters from the Plan de los Amates community [16.881432,-99.882545] in Acapulco, Guerrero. Both murder victims were found blindfolded, and authorities estimate that the bodies were buried there no more than two days ago. At this point, police officers are continuing to search

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 10

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 31 August 2011

the area for additional bodies.

Comment: It was reported that both murder victims had Santa Muerte tattoos.

Spanish Source: http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/08/sacan-dos-cuerpos-de-fosas-en-plan-de.html

Top of the Document

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 11